OAP couple in home fire rescue
AFUNDRAISING appeal has been launched after a couple in their 70s were rescued from a house fire in Accrington.
Fire crews were called to Hodder Street at 4.25am on Saturday, October 12, and used a ladder to rescue two people from a bedroom.
Another man jumped from a first-floor window to escape the blaze and a woman also managed to flee the property before firefighters arrived.
Three casualties were treated by paramedics at the scene and then transferred to hospital.
The blaze meant that Electricity North West were forced to isolate the power in the area.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “Two fire engines from Hyndburn and one from Blackburn attended a house fire on Hodder Street, Accrington. We successfully rescued two people from a bedroom window by ladder, two further people had escaped prior to us arriving.
“The fire had damaged the gas meter meaning that we had to leave a small fire burning until Cadent Gas isolated it from outside.
“Electricity North West had to isolate the power to this and other premises on the street and the surrounding area and they are currently working hard to restore power as soon as possible.
“The cause of fire is being investigated by our fire investigators.
“Special thank you to the neighbours who supplied us with brews and biscuits.”
Kind-hearted residents Amy Westell and Debra Seery-pugh have now set up and online gofundme page after the fire ‘absolutely ravaged the home of a lovely couple’.
They said: “[The couple] have been left devastated, they have lived in their home for many many years and have now been left with only the clothes on their backs.
“We have set up this gofundme in the hope that our wonderful community can find it in their hearts to donate a little something to help rebuild a home and help them in their time of need.
“There will also be a charity event held to help with this fundraising, details to follow.
“We’d like to thank you in advance for any donations, no matter how big or small, everything counts.”
The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Club shared the appeal on Facebook and urged the ‘good folk of Accrington and our Stanley family’ to help.
The post said: “They are an elderly couple who are the nicest of people and there is a gofundme page for them.
“We are wondering if it’s possible to get as many people to raise as much as possible to help out these lovely people and hopefully rebuild their home and their lives.”
To donate visit www. go fundme . com/ f/ a- little- help- forassunta-and-leo